IJN
2nd Kokutai

Force Landed  September 2, 1942

Aircraft History
Manufactured December 5, 1940. Engine Serial Number 185052, built March 19, 1942. Bore "Q" tail marking, of the 2nd Kokutai, a composite unit which operated D3A dive bombers, B5N attack planes, and A6M fighters. The unit first operated under the Combined Fleet, then under the Eighth Fleet at Rabaul, and finally under the 26th Air Flotilla at Rabaul.

Mission History
Took off from Rabaul at 12:30pm September 2, 1942 to attack shipping at Milne Bay. (Other sources list this as September 3rd). Three hours after take off they were never seen again. The Zero escorts successfully landed at Buna at 5:30pm.

The three Vals: this aircraft and D3A1 3110 and D3A1 3287 force landed on the beach near Deba on Table Bay. Theories have been proposed over the years about a secret mission these planes were flying, but in fact the truth is that three probably landed after experiencing bad weather and running short of fuel.

Fates of the Crews
The crew set fire to their parachutes damaging the center sections. They removed the rear machine guns and supplies and moved inland. After the discovery of the aircraft, ANGAU Warrant Officer David Marsh was dispatched to investigate the aircraft at Table Bay by launch, along with Lt. Bilston, four Royal Papuan Constabularies, boat driver and a cook. They discovered the three aircraft about 100 meters apart, and buried supplies in a camp area, and a message from a native pastor that he was conscripted to lead them, but was leading them in circles until the authorities arrived.

Dixon called for reinforcements and then move inland after them. Marsh moved inland to follow them. On the second day, they located them, and fired and ordered them to surrender. Instead the Japanese fired their machine guns back, and fleeing into the hills. Giving chase the police killed three of them.

The remainder were caught in the open by two other police and called to surrender, but they fired back with pistols. Waiting for them to reload, the advanced and shot the remaining three with their rifles. All were buried where they fell. They returned to their launch, and took one of the jammed Lewis machine gun as a trophy for Abau Island.

Wreckage Visited
On September 5th, a P-40 piloted by Squadron Leader Wright spotted the aircraft and reported them. A Tiger Moth landed on the beach and Group Captain Bill Garing and Flight Lt. Lex Winten investigated them.

Recovery
In September, the wrecks were salvaged by a party consisting of Major C. H. Belvin, USAAF and Flying Officer N. O. Clappison, RAAF and Sgt Corly, US Army, with LAC Bath, Sgt Kelly and Sgt Gadsby all from the RAAF. With the help of ANGAU at Abau, they camped near the aircraft and salvaged the aircraft, disassembling them and removing burnt parts and carrying the wreckage in vine-built crates 3-4 miles down the beach, and then sailing them to Abau.

Evaluation
The three aircraft were then shipped to Port Moresby and then to Brisbane, and were the subject of an inteligence report about them on October 24, 1942 that recorded data about each.

References
"Hidden Chapters" pages 76-83 by Bob Piper. "Milne Bay 1942" pages 293 - 299. Date of assembly confirmed by Jim Long.

Enemy Material Report No.50" from HQ, Allied Air Forces, SWPA, dated 29 October 1942

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